Feb 13 marked the official commencement of the Taibo Temple Fair, Wuxi's first temple fair of the Year of the Pig.

The temple fair commemorates Wu Taibo, the founder of Wu culture, who is praised for his nobility and humility in giving away his crown to his younger brother. Wu culture is immensely popular in Wuxi and throughout Jiangsu province.

A couple of foreign guests are excited to take part in the fair's traditional carnival parade. [Photo/WeChat account: news-wuxixinwen]

Over 180,000 people were attracted to the grand fair, which has been listed as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, and watched the square parade, the fair's most anticipated activity.

The parade featured over 20 troupe performances included lion dances, a waist drum presentation, stilt walking and other local folk art shows. The folk parade stretched 2.5 kilometers around Meili town, Wuxi's Xinwu district.

In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, parades float went along the route expressing the people's gratitude to the country and great expectations for the future.

During the opening ceremony, the first cultural tourism brand of Wuxi Xinwu district, "Tai Bo You Li", was launched, and productions of the district's history, Wu culture, local intangible cultural heritage and travel routes were staged.

The eight-day event will last until Lantern Festival, and will feature traditional trading fairs, demonstrations of intangible cultural heritages and folk art, and public cultural activities.